Medicine from the Qur’an and Sunnah
- Ar-Rashad Press
- May 9
- 5 min read
Huma Zaheer
Introduction
There are several illnesses around us. Although cures for many of these ailments are now found by science, Islam taught us the prevention of multiple diseases 1400 years ago, from the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Abu Huraira (RA) has narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) has said:
“There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment.”[Sahih Bukhari 5678]
Many books have been written focusing on medicine. These books are called ‘Tibb-an-Nabawi’, and this article has been written based on these books.
An Arab physician quoted:
“Diet is the top medicine, and the stomach is the home of disease.”
Illnesses arise from either overeating or nutrient deficiency. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one third of food, one third for drink and one third for air.”[Sunan Ibn Majah 3349]
Today, overeating is quite common, resulting in obesity. Figures indicate that 64% of adults in the UK are obese, as of 2019. The NHS states that obesity can cause numerous severe and potentially fatal conditions including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer.
Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah writes in his book ‘Tibb-an-Nabawi’ that overeating makes breathing difficult, bringing about laziness and fatigue. In addition, people are feasting on junk foods which contain excess fat, carbohydrates, and sugars (which also have insufficient micronutrients), further contributing to obesity and a range of other chronic health conditions.
Deficiency in nutrients or malnutrition results in immunodeficiency, whereby the immune system becomes too weak to fight diseases, leaving the body vulnerable to other illnesses attacking from the outside.
Quantity of food does not matter, as the body can derive its nourishment from even a small amount of healthy food, and this is evident from the life of the Prophet (ﷺ).
In the scorching sun of Arabia, Prophet (ﷺ) and the Sahabah (RA) would fight battles, surviving on merely dates and water; rarely, they would find something as good as meat.
As Muslims, we should be mindful of our diet and health because it will not only affect our daily lives but also our i'badah. Why are we consuming food that does not benefit us, but only brings about diseases? Instead, we should consume natural foods, which Allah (ﷻ) has created for us.
Verily, in the Qur’an, there are foods mentioned and proven to be nutritious by research. Some of these foods are discussed below.
Pomegranate
Allah (ﷻ) says:
“In them are fruits, and date palms, and pomegranates.”[Surah Ar-Rahman 55:68]
Effective in reducing palpitations.
It stops vomiting and strengthens the stomach.
Honey
Allah (ﷻ) says:
“There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour, wherein is healing for men.”[Surah Al-Nahl 16:69]
Experiments have proved the effectiveness of honey in reducing diarrhoea in people with stomach and intestine infections due to its germ-killing effects.
An ideal remedy for diseases in the digestive system.
Figs
Allah (ﷻ) says:
“By the fig and the olive.”[Surah Al-Tin 95:1]
Figs are rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and carotene.
They also have elevated levels of nutrients such as iron, calcium, and copper — the materials that build up the cells and produce haemoglobin.
Olive Oil
Also mentioned in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Al-Tin. Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Season (your food) with olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree.”[Sunan Ibn Majah 3319]
Olive works as a laxative and rids the body of worms.
The oil also softens the skin and slows the ageing process.
Foods Proven Beneficial by the Sunnah
The Prophet (ﷺ) used these remedies himself and prescribed them to his family and companions. Some of these foods are:
Barley Broth
Ayesha (RA) narrates:
“If any of his family members became ill, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would order that some broth be made. And he would say: It consoles the grieving heart and cleanses the ailing heart, as any one of you cleanses her face of dirt with water.”[Sunan Ibn Majah 3445]
Ajwa Dates
This date tree was planted by the Prophet. Narrated by Sa'ad Ibn Abi Waqaas (RA), the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever takes seven 'Ajwa dates in the morning will not be affected by magic or poison on that day.”[Sahih Bukhari 5779]
Spiritual Illness: Evil Eye (‘Ayn al-Hasad)
The guidance and light of the Sunnah goes beyond physical illnesses and advises on diseases caused by ‘Ayn-al-hasad, also known as the evil eye. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“The effect of an evil eye is a fact.”[Sahih Bukhari 5740]
The evil eye is the result of mostly jealousy, envy, or dislike with evil intentions. People nowadays, especially Muslims, love to boast about their lifestyle (houses, cars, grand weddings, money, clothing, etc), unaware that it catches unwanted attention. Not everyone is your well-wisher, even from your own family, and only Allah knows what is in their hearts.
Therefore, Allah asked the Prophet to seek refuge with Him from the envier:
“And from the evil of the envier when he envies.”[Surah Al-Falaq 113:5]
A person who has caught the evil eye will show sudden changes in emotion and behaviour, affecting a part or the whole body, and unexplained illnesses may strike.
It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed said:
“The Messenger of Allah used to seek refuge from the evil eye of the jinn and of mankind. When the Mu’awwidhatain were revealed, he started to recite them and stopped reciting anything else.”[Sunan Ibn Majah 3511]
Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah writes in his book that jealousy occurs when a person doesn’t love Allah and His Nabi and the home of the Hereafter, because if they did, then they would have loved their brothers and loved what they received of Allah’s blessings.
It is also advised that one must not show off their lavish lifestyles. If Allah has blessed someone, then that person must be more humble and grateful to Allah, not proud and arrogant.
Conclusion
The Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah are the best guidance we have, and abiding by them will improve our health and welfare. Islam is a complete code of life and teaches us the cause, cure, and prevention of diseases.
May Allah grant us all good health and the ability and understanding to abide by the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Muhammad (ﷺ).
Huma Zaheer
Studying BSc (Hons) Biology
and Alimiyyah student of
Shaykh Faizulhaq Abdulaziz Hafizahullah
Allahuma Barik, this is a wonderfully written article barrakallahu feekoum.
Jazakallahu Khayr for your amazing efforts
ما شاء الله
Masa Allah Amazing article
Jzkallah hu kairan
Jazakallah Khair